Finding Acceptance: LGBT and Apostasy

 Registration is closed for this event
October 1st, 2019 20:00   --   21:30

Belief and identity are fundamental human rights. Unfortunately, this is not afforded to everyone, and for some people leaving their faith can be a complicated, challenging, and even dangerous process. There are religious communities that consider apostasy a source of shame and dishonour and as a result, apostates often experience emotional and sometimes physical abuse.
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Apostates who happen to be LGBT almost always find the path to acceptance even more challenging. In this discussion panel event, survivors who have escaped these abuses and are now living free from harm will talk of their experiences. Experts who work with victims will also raise awareness of these highly sensitive issues.

Panellists include

Teddy Prout, Humanists UK
Teddy is an ex-evangelical Christian. 'Born again' at 16 years old he struggled with the theological condemnation of being gay while identifying as a gay Christian. He was repeatedly offered gay conversion therapy throughout his time in the church. He left the religion in his mid-30s.

Aliyah Saleem, Faith to Faithless
Aliyah was born into a Sunni family and was educated at an Islamic girls' private boarding school in Nottingham before studying Islamic theology in Pakistan. She is an advocate for secular education and in 2015 co-founded Faith to Faithless to raise awareness of apostasy. In 2018 she published her first book, 'Leaving Faith Behind'.

Following the discussion, there will be an opportunity for Q&A with the panel. We hope you'll join us for what promises to be an informative and thought-provoking evening.

Thanks to our supporters this is a free event.

Location

Belfast Castle
Antrim Rd
Belfast, BR15 5GR
United Kingdom

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